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TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD PUBLIC AGENDA

REGULAL MEETING

SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015 Marilyn Taylor, Chair Community Representative Trustee Members Rosanna Del Grosso Ann Andrachuk Association for Bright Children Angela Kennedy Dario Imbrogno Community Representative Garry Tanuan, Vice-Chair

John MacKenzie FASWorld

Sandra Mastronardi Autism Ontario Ashleigh Molloy AAIDD Mary Pugh VOICE for Hearing Impaired

Giselle Romanino Community Representative

Raul Vomisescu Community Living Toronto

Glenn Webster Ontario Assoc. of Families of Children With Communication Disorders

Recording Secretary: Lalita Fernandes 416-222-8282 Extension 2293

In a school community formed by Catholic beliefs and traditions, our Mission is to educate students to their full potential.

Angela Gauthier Michael Del Grande Director of Education Chair of the Board

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AGENDATHE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

PUBLIC SESSION

Wednesday, April 15, 20157:00 P.M.

Pages

1. Roll Call & Apologies

2. Approval of the Agenda

3. Declarations of Interest

4. Approval & Signing of the Minutes of the Special Meeting heldMarch 11, 2015 and Regular Meeting held March 25, 2015 forPublic Session

1 - 8

5. Delegations

6. Presentations

6.a Presentation by Don Reid, regarding Children and Youth(CYIC) Ministry Summer Program

6.b Presentation by Susan Menary, regarding Transition toPost Secondary Pathways

7. Unfinished Business

8. Notices of Matters and Trustee Matters: (for which seventy-twohours' notice has been given)

9. Communications

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10. Matters Referred/Deferred to the Committee by the Board andOther Committees

11. Reports of Officials, and Special and Permanent CommitteesRequiring Action

12. Reports of Officials for Information

12.a Monthly Report from Frank Piddisi, Superintendent ofSpecial Services (To Be Distributed)

13. Inquiries and Miscellaneous

14. Association Reports

15. Update from Trustees on resolutions recommended to the Boardby the Committee

16. Pending List

17. Adjournment

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MINUTES OF THE

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE

SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

HELD WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

PUBLIC SESSION

PRESENT:

M. Taylor, Chair

R. Del Grosso

D. Imbrogno

J. MacKenzie

S. Mastronardi

M. Pugh - Teleconference

G. Romanino

M. Taylor

G. Webster

Gary Poole

Paul DeCock

Anne Marie Cassin

John Wilhelm

P. Stachiw

S. Menary

A. Coke

Linda Maselli-Jackman

Don Reid

Odilia Pariselli

Rachelina Macchia

Lalita Fernandes, Recording Secretary

G.Mak, Officer – Corporate Services

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MOVED by John Mackenzie and Giselle Romanino, that the agenda, as amended,

be approved.

CARRIED

Julie Mazzuca-Peter, representing the Association of Professional Student Services

Personnel (APSSP), addressed the Committee regarding budget cuts to Special

Education.

MOVED by Glen Webster, seconded by Sandra Mastronardi, that the presentation

by Julie Mazzuca-Peter, representing the Association of Professional Student

Services Personnel (APSSP) regarding the Budget Deficit Reduction Report be

received.

CARRIED

MOVED by Dario Imbrogno, seconded by John Mackenzie, that based on careful

consideration and needs analysis, SEAC recommends to the board that no further

reductions be made to Special Education and that not only should current funding

be sustained but an increase be considered to meet the augmented needs of students

in the TCDSB with Special Education requirements.

CARRIED.

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MOVED by Rosanna Del Grosso, seconded by Dario Imbrogno, that item 10b) be

adopted as follows:

10b) Special Education Budget

1. SEAC recommends to the Board that the Ministry be asked

why they are forcing funding cuts on Special Education when

they are still going through the ministry review.

2. SEAC recommends to the Board that the Ministry be asked

why the funds are being re-distributed.

CARRIED.

MOVED by Sandra Mastronardi, seconded by Giselle Romanino that SEAC

recommends that the Board provide the Committee with results of the survey and

copies of presentations from the delegations.

CARRIED.

MOVED by John Mackenzie, seconded by Giselle Romanino, that the meeting

adjourn.

CARRIED.

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S E C R E T A R Y C H A I R

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MINUTES OF THE

SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

HELD WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

PUBLIC SESSION

PRESENT: Marilyn Taylor, Chair

Rosanna Del Grosso

Dario Imbrogno

Sandra Mastronardi

Ashleigh Molloy

Mary Pugh

Giselle Romanino

Raul Vomisescu

Glenn Webster

Trustee G. Tanuan, Vice-Chair

Trustee A. Andrachuk

Trustee M. Del Grande

Trustee N. Crawford

Trustee A. Kennedy

A. Gauthier

G. Poole

F. Piddisi

C. Fernandes

Paul DeCock

Maria Kokai

A. Coke

P. Stachiew

L. Maselli-Jackman

J. Wilhelm

S. Menary

D. Reid

O. Pariselli

R. Macchia

A.M. Cassin

Lalita Fernandes, Recording Secretary

G.Mak, Officer – Corporate Services

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MOVED by Trustee Andrachuk, Seconded by Trustee Tanuan, that the agenda, as

amended, be approved.

CARRIED

MOVED by Marilyn Taylor, seconded by Trustee Tanuan, that the minutes of the

Regular Meeting held February 18, 2015 and the Special Meeting held March 11,

2015, be approved.

CARRIED

Betty Sedej addressed the Committee regarding budget cuts.

MOVED by Rosanna Del Grosso, seconded by Sandra Mastronardi that the

presentation by Betty Sedej, regarding budget cuts be received.

CARRIED

Geoff Feldman addressed the Committee regarding budget cuts.

MOVED by Trustee Andrachuk, seconded by Rosanna Del Grosso that the

presentation by Geoff Feldman, regarding budget cuts be received and referred to

staff to check with legal counsel if the legislation would permit a representative

from SEAC to be a member of CPIC.

CARRIED

Luisa Scala addressed the Committee regarding Secondary Gifted Programs

MOVED by Ann Andrachuk, seconded by Mary Pugh that the presentation by

Luisa Scala, regarding Secondary Gifted Programs be received.

CARRIED

Gillian Vivona, representing TSU, addressed the Committee regarding budget cuts

to Special Education

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MOVED by Trustee Andrachuk, seconded by Glenn Webster that the presentation

by Gillian Vivona, regarding budget cuts to Special Education.

CARRIED

Susan Menary and the Autism Team, made a presentation to Committee regarding

the Autism Awareness Event on April 1, 2015

MOVED by Trustee Tanuan, seconded by Rosanna Del Grosso, that the

presentation by Susan Menary and the Autism Team regarding the Autism

Awareness Event on April 1st be received.

CARRIED

MOVED by Sandra Mastronardi and seconded by Trustee Tanuan, that the

following items be received:

9a) Transfer Payment Agreement - 2015 SEAC Conference

and

9e) SEAC Conference - All Stream Conference Centre.

CARRIED.

Marilyn Taylor, Glenn Webster, Ashleigh Malloy, Sandra Mastronardi and Frank

Piddisi have registered to attend the SEAC Conference.

MOVED by Sandra Mastronardi and seconded by Trustee Tanuan, that the

following items be received:

9b) Special Education Companion 2002 (except gifted)

CARRIED.

MOVED by Trustee Andrachuk and seconded by Trustee Tanuan, that the

following monthly report from Superintendent of Special Services for March, 2015

be received:

• World Down Syndrome Day!

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• Celebrated March 21, 2015 with the TCSDB joining the world in

bringing awareness to the gifts of our students with Down Syndrome

and the many staff, families and friends who love and support them.

• Links and celebration ideas were presented.

• Psychology Department

• “Fun Friends” • Offered 2 one-day training sessions (March 9, 10) to Early

Learning Teachers and ECEs in the “Fun FRIENDS” classroom based resiliency program that they will deliver in

their JK/SK classes.

• This is a play-based prevention program that supports the

development of self-regulation and coping skills, pro-social

behavior and responsibility for self and others.

• Autism Services Department

• In recognition of Autism Awareness Day, which is on April 2nd, a

number of events have been planned. These include:

• A board wide dance in recognition of Autism Awareness took

place on March 11th. Schools enthusiastically participated and

helped to raise awareness of Autism in our schools

• On April 1st, an evening in honour of Autism Awareness will

take place. The theme of the evening is Nurturing Gifts. The

keynote speaker is Jeannine Dupuy from Famous People

Players. There will also be opportunities for students with

Autism in TCDSB to showcase their gifts and talents.

• On April 1st, flags in honour of Autism Awareness will be

raised at the CEC and at our TCDSB schools. Flags have been

provided with support from Autism Ontario. A proclamation in

recognition of Autism Awareness will also be issued by the

Director and Chair of the Board.

• On April 9th an Autism Information session will take place at St.

Aidan Catholic School from 7 – 9 PM. A number of agencies

providing Autism services as well as representatives from different

government ministries will be in attendance.

Gifted Programs

• Journey Conference coming up on April 21st and 22

nd for our

elementary students.

• This year it is returning to OISE/UT. Keynote TBD.

Special Education Grant Summary Explanation

• See separate handout

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CARRIED.

MOVED by Rosanna Del Grosso and seconded by Trustee Andrachuk, that the

following items be received:

9c) Gifted Program - St. Francis of Assisi

and

9d) An invitation The 5th

Annual Autism Awareness Evening

CARRIED.

Trustee Kennedy declared an interest in item 12a) Revised Structural Budget

Deficit Reduction Opportunities as her family members are employees of the

board. Trustee Kennedy indicated that she would neither vote nor participate in the

discussion of the item.

MOVED by Rosanna Del Grosso and seconded by Trustee Tanuan, that the

following item, be received:

12a) Revised Structural Budget Deficit Reduction Opportunities.

CARRIED.

MOVED by Glenn Webster, seconded by Trustee Andrachuk, that the meeting

adjourn.

CARRIED.

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S E C R E T A R Y C H A I R

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